Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses

DAILY PINT New gastropub Daily Pint is now up and running on Euclid Avenue in the space that used to house The Pho Bar (as tipped by us in October). The menu is heavy on gourmet sausages (co-owner Jonathan Chu also owns a sausage shop franchise in San Francisco called What’s Up Dog, according to his LinkekIn page), and burgers, as well as a selection of appetizers and salads. Monday night is trivia night at Daily Pint with $3 nachos and prizes for the winning teams. Reader Kristin Nolan is already a fan, writing: “They have a great bar and food menu that is good quality and a great value.” Daily Pint is at 1828 Euclid Ave. (between Ridge and Hearst). Connect with them on Facebook.

OPEN: BURRITOS INC Now open in the old Lee’s Deli spot on Shattuck Avenue near Downtown Berkeley BART is Mexican restaurant Burritos Inc. On the menu, as you’d expect, is a range of burritos, bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. Burritos Inc. is owned by the same folk behind Bourbon & Beef on College Avenue in Rockridge, according to the Downtown Berkeley Association. Burritos Inc. is at 2116 Shattuck Ave. (between Center and Addison). Connect with them on Facebook.

Photo: Anil Thapa

COMING SOON: LUMBINI BUDDHIST ART GALLERY Officially opening on March 7 on Bancroft Way, Lumbini Buddhist Art Gallery will feature Nepalese artwork. Much of the artwork presented will be thangkas, paintings on silk, satin, or embroidered cloth depicting the lives of Buddhist deities, bodisattva, and influential lamas. Lumbini will also function as a school, teaching young artists how to create thangkas in order to preserve and spread the culture in Nepal and beyond. On opening day, the art gallery will serve tea and snacks and host a talk about Buddhist art and its relevance around the world. Lumbini Buddhist Art Gallery will be on 2127 Bancroft Way (between Oxford and Shattuck).

TARGET EXPRESS OPENING MARCH 8 We alerted you in September that downtown Berkeley would be getting a Target Express. The Minneapolis-based retailer has taken over the building at the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Allston Way that previously housed Walgreen’s until the drugstore moved across the street. The new city-style Target is 12,000 square feet, compared to the average Target store size of 80,000 square feet — but will sell food, clothing, accessories and consumer electronics that will appeal to students, commuters and downtown’s growing residential population. Visitors to downtown will have noticed that the store’s exterior has been decorated with a cheerful red and white artwork. [Hat-tip: Sean Rouse.]

Photo: Seung Y. Lee

TEMPORARILY CLOSED: BOWS AND ARROWS The streetwear store Bows and Arrows is closed for renovations. Online orders will not be affected by the closing, and the store says on its website that it will add new brands to its catalog when it reopens on Saturday Feb. 21. Bows and Arrows is at 2513 Telegraph Ave. (at Dwight Way).

NEW: HASNIA As we reported last week in our Bites column, the long-shuttered De Afghahan Kabob House on University has now been replaced with Hasnia, an Algerian restaurant. Early reports on Chow are very good; diners seem to like its tagines, couscous platters, and Algerian flatbread. Hasnia is at 1160 University Ave. (near Curtis St.).

Johnny B’s Café. Photo: John Bajek

NEW: JOHNNY B’S CAFE There’s a new spot to grab sandwiches and coffee in West Berkeley. Johnny B’s Café has just opened up shop next to Strawberry Creek Park on Addison Street, in the former Café Zeste location. Owner John Bajek tells us that his corned beef and roasted chicken sandwiches are his bestsellers so far. In addition, he is serving soups, freshly made salads and pastries, with plenty of gluten-free options. Johnny B’s is at 1250 Addison St., Suite 110 (near Bonar St.). Read more on Nosh.

Seung Y. Lee is a journalist who has previously worked at the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and the Daily Californian.

Shop Talk is our regular column in which we post updates on Berkeley businesses. If you’re a Berkeley business with news, or a Berkeleysider who has spotted a change in your neighborhood or on your travels, shoot us an email with the details. Read previous Shop Talk columns, and check out Bites for the latest East Bay restaurant news.

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